Shield Wall formation

[BiggBudd]

Can any1 give me details [pro's/con's] of using shield wall formation for roman units? I presume they are more defensive so less kills than standard formation, but give you MORE time to flank the enemies unit. Do they get any Bonuses like horse/chariot etc? Are they less vulnerable to frontal missile attack/ more vulnerable to flank/rear missile attack? HAs any 1 tested it compared to standard formation?
Any info/experiances u have i would like to hear as i dont have time to BOTH play SPQR and test it [sob].
THX Budd.

[TerraHero]

I dont know what it does exactly, but it seems in particular effective against barbarians factions (Gaul, Dacia, Germania). I noticed a sharp drop in casuaulties and it seems that units in Shield Wall get a sort of Defence bonus against barbarians. I also read somewhere its ineffective against civilized troops, infact you even suffer from a penalty.

But from my experience, units in Shield Wall hold there ground longer and suffer less casualties when fighting barbarians. Also stretch them out as much as possible, it seems the most effective method. Atleast thats what LT said, i never used it in any other way.

[OG Grenadier]

I don't understand? Do you mean a "testudo"? Don't they break this formation immediately upon being attacked?

[turtle]

I don't understand? Do you mean a "testudo"? Don't they break this formation immediately upon being attacked?

No, they are talking about the shield wall formation for SPQR. Not the testudo.

[OG Grenadier]

Sorry I don't play the Romans. Is this some new special ability? *gasp*

[dashizller]

It replaced the "loose" formation. It just puts each soldier closer to the other which makes it effective since it's harder to break the lines. I don't think there's any bonus. It justs makes the line very stubborn and difficult to penetrate.

[Sidmen]

The real bonus of it is in fact that the units are closer together, so an enemy cannot get on the sides of one of your soldiers. This forces the enemy to fight more or less one on one which slows down your losses alot, giving you more time to flank and do other interesting things.

[hsimoorb]

Also since your guys are closer together you can take more advantage of you higher shield skills compared to barbarian units. As well there is less chance of being stuck by a missile from the sides since your troops are packed so close together. Also notice that a close formation is key to stopping a cavalry charge dead in it's tracks.

[OG Grenadier]

Well that sounds pretty damn good! What part of what file was changed to implement this mod? Anybody know?

[MasterAdnin]

Well that sounds pretty damn good! What part of what file was changed to implement this mod? Anybody know?

The spacing in loose formation.

Adnan

[OG Grenadier]

Ahhhhhhhhhh , most excellent Master Adnin.... most excellent.

[Freddie]

Ahhhhhhhhhh , most excellent Master Adnin.... most excellent.

It's all in the Bible my good friend........sorry I mean the read me.

[BiggBudd]

"It's all in the Bible my good friend........sorry I mean the read me."

84. NEW FORMATION! Shield wall for Roman Infantry units, this formation replaces the Loose Formation for Roman infantry units. Loose formation applies to all other units as normal.

Is It?

[OG Grenadier]

Meh, read me txts...

[TLv1.0]

bringing up an old thread, sorry.

the shield wall seems to be working really well defensively, and the charge from it looks great, but does it limit the attack in any way? if i've set up my battle line and the enemy is having a go at my centre, will it be a bad idea to use units already set up in a shield wall to flank or charge engaged units?

[TerraHero]

Shield Walls benefit lies in the stuborn line, the 1 on 1 fighting evne tough outnumbered.

So the alrge barbarian 120 units (talking large unit scale here) cant take much advantage from there greater numbers because they still fight 1 on 1 against your tightly locked troops. Shield wall can be spread wide, and still be effective so its also hard to flank them in shield wall.

When attacking it doesnt seem to offer any advantage.

[lt1956]

Also keep in mind when using shield wall and for best results you need to use Gaurd mode also, but NOW your units will not give many casualties, because Guard mode makes them more defensive. So while its good for holding, you will take more casualties than the enemy in the long run on a 1 on 1 basis. But over all with the correct legion you come out on top with little loss.

Its all tactics, but it works well in SPQR to reflect real life ancient combat. Within the RTW limitations. lol

My only regret is I wish we had GRAIN in the game, you can see they wanted to add it but didnt, my only thinking for this was the AI performing poorly with it implimented.

[mike_D]

My only regret is I wish we had GRAIN in the game, you can see they wanted to add it but didnt, my only thinking for this was the AI performing poorly with it implimented.

whats GRAIN?

[OG Grenadier]

A grain of wheat perchance?

[Hadrian]

Lt, please elaborate. What is this,.....grain,you speak of ?